Disabled Volunteers
Disabled people have traditionally been seen as the recipients of volunteering rather than having skills and experiences to offer themselves. However, it is increasingly being recognised as an excellent way for young disabled people to realise their full potential. 'v', the new charity responsible for improving access to volunteering opportunities for all young people, is helping to make this happen.
Successful volunteering experiences will give you the opportunity to develop new skills, meet new people, and develop the confidence to progress into further education, employment or training, or simply have fun! Volunteering also provides an opportunity for you to contribute to improving things locally and helps promote an awareness of disabled people's place in the community.
Some projects run supported volunteer programme, designed to meet the particular needs of disabled people. Some projects specialise in developing opportunities for young disabled people and are able to provide support specific to their needs, including those with high support needs.
If you receive state benefits the regulations will allow you to volunteer without your entitlements being affected, as long as you do not receive payment other than out of pocket expenses. The Department for Works and Pensions provides full guidance on volunteering, benefits and expenses or, alternatively, ask to speak to the disability advisor at your local Job Centre if you're unsure on how your particular circumstances might be affected.
Key contacts and resources:
Provides a national database for young people's volunteering and a chance to browse the range opportunities available in your area and apply on-line. If you can't find what you're looking for on-line, your local Volunteer Centre may know of organisations or projects that are able to provide opportunities and support to young disabled volunteers.
The volunteering area of the website contains an extensive list of volunteer involving organisations providing opportunities for disabled volunteers in a range of settings across the UK plus details of their own volunteering project.
A number of other national disability organisations also have their own volunteering projects. Some of the key organisations include: RNIB, Scope, Leonard Cheshire, Phab.
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